Srini Vanapalli from the Faculty of Science and Technology (S&T) has received an NWO grant for the research perspective project Next-Generation Cryogenics: Advanced Thermal Interfaces and Low-Power Low-Noise Cooling Solutions (PURECOOL). Together with a large international consortium, he is working on the development of a new generation of cooling systems that can reach extremely low temperatures.
Such cooling systems are indispensable for high-tech applications such as quantum computers, chip production and advanced medical imaging. However, current techniques are large, noisy, energy-intensive and difficult to maintain. PURECOOL aims to change that completely.
"With PURECOOL, we can take the step towards sustainable, circular cryogenic systems and develop the advanced cooling technologies needed for quantum applications, microscopy and high-tech production," says Vanapalli.
From experiment to practice
Within the project, scientists and companies will develop new solutions and test them directly in realistic working environments. This will not only generate new insights, but also practical systems that are quieter, more energy-efficient and more compact.
Leading high-tech companies are participating in PURECOOL, including ASML, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Leiden Cryogenics and Single Quantum. By combining knowledge and practice, innovations can be brought to market more quickly.
Boost for the Netherlands
The grant strengthens the Netherlands' position as a leader in cryogenic technology. The results of PURECOOL could accelerate important breakthroughs in quantum technology, medical diagnostics and the chip industry, among other areas, which are crucial for the technology of the future.
More information
Prof. Dr. Srini Vanapalli is a professor at the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of Twente and heads the Applied Thermal Sciences lab. PURECOOL receives the grant within the NWO's ‘Perspectief’ research programme. Perspectief encourages the establishment of new lines of research, the transcending of old networks and the creation of a close collaboration between researchers and the business community, in order to solve innovation bottlenecks in an interdisciplinary approach. NWO contributes at least 2 million euros and at most 5 million euros per project.
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